First Minister visits expanding Welshpool business

Zip-Clip, a Mid-Wales manufacturer of high specification suspension systems for the electrical, mechanical, heating and ventilation industries is expanding its new facility in Welshpool as exports boom.

Thursday 24 May 2018

First Minister Carwyn Jones visited the site today to hear more about the company’s export success and expansion.

The 6,000 square foot expansion at its site at Offa’s Dyke Business Park was constructed at a cost of £375,000 by the Welsh Government and is now leased to Zip Clip.

The extension will allow the company to deal with its increased turnover and fulfill its growth plans. The company’s turnover has increased from £4.6m to £5.5m since last year when it moved to its new site, also facilitated by the Welsh Government, and it expects to double its workforce to over 70 in the next five years.

Zip Clip exports to some 22 countries already and has seen a major increase in exports and demand from overseas.

It has now established Zip-Clip Pty Ltd in Melbourne Australia which has its own designated warehouse and offices in the suburb of Thomastown enabling it to better service its customer needs with reduced delivery times . The facility will stock and distribute products manufactured in Wales into the Australian and New Zealand market from June 2018.

The company supplies a huge variety of suspension systems which are used in construction including in the new American Embassy at Nine Elms in London, the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and the London Olympics Aquatic Centre.

In addition to the support with property provision, Zip Clip have also benefited from the Welsh Government’s innovation programme and have taken advantage of the International Trade Opportunities programme which offers assistance with reaching new overseas markets.

The First Minister said:

“It’s great to see a company like Zip Clip succeed in this way. I’m pleased the Welsh Government is able to assist them with their export boom and expansion plans.

“It was good to hear about the company’s success overseas, with exports to some 22 countries around the world. They are a valuable member of the business community here in Mid Wales providing excellent employment opportunities in the area.”

Steve Goldsworthy, chief executive of Zip Clip was also a keynote speaker at this year’s Wales Export Conference to highlight the company’s success.

Mr Goldsworthy said:

“The extension on the new unit will enable us to future-proof the needs of our export clients. Our aim over the years is to develop our overseas market with the aim to better service our customer needs through new product Development and customer support.

“The success of Zip-Clip in targeting these overseas markets can only be achieved with the support of the Welsh Government. The initial support we had in developing overseas customers through trade missions enabled us target the correct countries and businesses effectively and affordably.

“The support in the new building has enabled us to keep our head offices and manufacturing in Wales where the local community and local supply chain can also benefit.”